However, Kardian soon opened his mouth with a calm smile.

“Bekishi, I decided to go to Count Penya’s party tomorrow. The dress code is blue.”

“Tomorrow, I have a prior engagement…”

Kardian stared at her intently. Bekishi, who dared to mention her appointment, politely clasped her hands and lowered her eyes.

“No, I’ll prepare for it.”

“Good.”

Kardian smiled again. They exchanged a few light words as if nothing had happened. It was the kind of everyday conversation that would occur between a loving couple.

However, as soon as Bekishi left the room, Kardian’s face hardened.

His wife had been irritating him lately.

Truly, he felt it was time to find a new plaything.

Under the scorching sun, women gathered in the field fanned themselves with their fans. The light felt even hotter due to the cloudless sky.

“My, Lady Marianne doesn’t seem to be sweating at all.”

A woman standing next to her spoke up. Marianne slowly fluttered her fan once and said in an elegant tone.

“I do feel hot. It’s just that I don’t sweat much due to my constitution.”

“How enviable.”

“As expected of Lady Marianne.”

Marianne smiled gently at the women standing beside her. In truth, she had frozen cooling packs attached deep inside her clothes. The biting cold sensation was in direct contact with her skin. Though they would melt soon in this heat, it was enough to endure the brief sunlight.

The reason for holding the student concert, supposedly sponsored by the young Empress, in such a place was obvious.

Because the background makes for good photos.

People are easily captivated by visuals. Well-taken photos will beautifully decorate newspaper articles and catch the eye, thus playing an excellent role in creating an image that the Empire cares even about welfare.

It was clearly a carrot policy, conscious of the recent growth of the revolutionary army. This was probably a judgment influenced by her son.

“Are you alone today?”

“No, my daughter-in-law will be here soon.”

“Oh, Lady Bekishi is coming!”

“No, my eldest daughter-in-law’s schedule overlapped with Count Penya’s charity event. Today, my second daughter-in-law is coming.”

“You’ve been accompanying her often lately. At the July festival opening ceremony, both Lady Bekishi and Lady Ansi came together, didn’t they?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Oh my! There she comes. How beautiful she is, just like you, Lady Marianne.”

Marianne shifted her gaze. Ansi was walking towards them, her black hair neatly tied with a bonnet on top. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the heat, but the pink hue on her pale white skin only added to her vitality.

As their eyes met, Ansi stopped in her tracks and bowed. Marianne responded with a smile. Ansi resumed her steps towards her.

Her unwavering posture and steps that were neither too fast nor too slow were quite admirable. Though she was the daughter of a fallen house, having lived as a count’s child for over 20 years, such manners seemed ingrained in her bones.

“Ansi, you look very pretty today.”

“I’m glad I made an effort. Though I’m still embarrassed to stand beside you, Mother.”

Marianne smiled with satisfaction at Ansi’s response. When she first saw her, she seemed stiff, but now she knew how to move like the tongue in one’s mouth.

She had been frequently visiting the Orfe mansion for several weeks, and her growth was remarkable.

At first, Marianne received her despite the inconvenience due to a promise made with Damion. She even took Ansi to a few events that Marianne had to attend as the mistress of Orfe.

But as she continued to accompany her, her feelings gradually changed. Ansi followed without complaint despite her shyness, and when dressed up, she became quite a presentable daughter-in-law that Marianne started to like.

Marianne was good at reading envious gazes.

Excellent appearance shines even more when possessed by those with authority and wealth. These seemingly unrelated values create synergy with each other and are valued even higher.

The desperate longing felt with every step.

Marianne enjoyed being such an idol.

It was for the same reason that she never showed any sign of discord with Damion in front of people. She had never revealed Damion’s origins even to her close confidants.

Moreover, now that Damion would behave well even when they were alone… She felt a sense of anticipation that she could finally pretend to be a peaceful and normal family after a long time.

“Come, let’s go greet Her Majesty the Empress.”

Marianne led Ansi as they moved forward.

Empress Amelia, standing under a large parasol held by an attendant, spotted them and extended her hand first.

“I hope you are well, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you for coming, Lady Orfe.”

“Of course I should come. This is…”

“I know who she is. The wife of your second son, correct?”

Ansi stepped forward and bowed her head.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. I am Ansi de Orfe.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

Amelia smiled kindly at Ansi.

Ansi observed the Empress’s appearance while politely keeping her eyes lowered.

Ansi’s revenge would culminate in an assassination attempt on the Emperor. Even if it didn’t result in death, it would have to cause enough harm to be perfectly labeled as treason.

There wouldn’t be many opportunities. Meanwhile, the Empress was the closest person to the Emperor. She didn’t know what kind of opportunity this encounter might lead to.

“The children have practiced really hard. I hope you enjoy the concert today. Though I’m worried it might be too hot…”

Amelia furrowed her brows as she looked at the children seated in their places. Her eyes seemed to hold genuine concern.

It was unexpected. A concert under the scorching sun – she had thought the Empress had organized it just for show.

Her gentle tone and expression were truly warm and affectionate. It was somewhat different from the aristocratic and authoritative impression Ansi had imagined from the newspapers.

‘…This must be an act too.’

Ansi inwardly shook her head and stopped her thoughts. Trying to discern the boundary between sincerity and pretense wasn’t particularly helpful at the moment.

“I heard you’re visiting Sobelvio for hunting in August, Your Majesty. I heard it from the young master.”

Ansi faltered at Marianne’s words.

“Yes, thank you for the invitation.”

Amelia smiled. Judging by her lack of enthusiasm, she didn’t seem to enjoy hunting much.

“The chefs at the mansion are busy. While the men enjoy their hunting, we should indulge in various foods and desserts.”

Marianne chuckled, covering her mouth with her fan.

By now, quite a crowd had gathered in the field. Reporters also began to take their positions at an appropriate distance. They started by photographing the children seated with their instruments.

After taking a few shots, the person managing the reporters called out loudly to the audience.

“We’ll take pre-performance photos now!”

Everyone took out their mirrors for a final check of their appearance. Then, they all gathered around the children.

Those facing the camera all strained their eyes and lowered their chins to look their best. Since these photos would appear in articles, they had to look as beautiful as possible.

“It’s done!”

The photo session ended. The crowd that had gathered began to disperse.

“Let’s go back.”

Marianne turned without hesitation and walked towards the carriage. Ansi, unable to hide her furrowed brows, asked.

“Aren’t we going to watch the concert?”

“It’s too hot, isn’t it?”

“Ah…”

Ansi followed Marianne, looking back. More than half of those who had gathered were already leaving the field. Ansi’s gaze fell on Amelia. She seemed somewhat dejected.

“Come with Damion to the August hunt.”

Ansi quickly turned her head back to Marianne.

“Scions of prestigious families will be attending. That child couldn’t come last year due to other matters, but this year, with Her Majesty present, he must come.”

She could guess why Damion didn’t go last year.

Suddenly, the image of him freezing at the sound of Geris’s gunshot came to mind.

He probably didn’t want to spend time with the Orfe people, but… that was likely the biggest reason.

Damion would probably be reluctant to hunt this time too.

But…

“Yes, I’ll definitely go.”

It was a golden opportunity for Ansi.

At this rate, by August, she could firmly establish her name as Ansi de Orfe, not Ansi de Rubellsa.

The August hunt. If someone with the Orfe name, under Orfe’s influence, were to shoot at the Emperor… it would surely be labeled as treason.

Ansi tightly clasped her slightly trembling hands together.

The thought that the day of revenge was not far off sent a tingling sensation from her toes to her head.

Time passed quickly.

Ansi accompanied Marianne to most of her schedules before going to Sobelvio.

Today, after several days, she finally made time for her own schedule.

After putting the envelope into the large mailbox at the post office, Ansi quickly moved away. Only when the post office was out of sight did she slow her pace and let out a deep sigh.

“Whew…”

Suddenly, she heard a loud noise. Peering through the crowd, she saw a procession of revolutionaries protesting.

The panels they were carrying bore slogans that seemed to specifically criticize the music concert held a few days ago.